Abstract: Primary auditory neurons provide the critical link between the inner ear and brain. To understand and improve our treatment of hearing loss, it is important that we understand the physiology of these neurons, and their response to therapeutics and novel forms of stimulation. In our lab we use patch-clamp electrophysiology to study the electrical activity of primary auditory neurons in culture as a way to explore how neural function (and the ion channels that control this) are influenced by neurotrophins, and how this population can be activated by optical stimulation. This talk will provide an overview of recent research, including our assessment of which culture conditions and models best reflect the native physiological properties of auditory neurons.

Bio: Karina received her PhD from the University of Melbourne in 2006, followed by postdoctoral positions at the Bionics Institute, La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne (Anatomy & Neuroscience). Karina is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne in the Department of Surgery (Otolaryngology), where she is head of the Hearing Neurosciences lab. Her lab examines the electrical activity of primary auditory neurons and investigates how these neurons and their ion channels respond to trauma, therapeutic treatments and novel forms of stimulation. Karina is now the Project Leader for the HEARing CRC’s Interface Optimisation and Assessment work.

Who should come: hearing, speech and language researchers and clinicians, cognitive scientists, psychologists, researchers in health and health care professionals.
Network: Learn from one another and see what collaboration opportunities are available.
Registration: Entry is free and open to the public.Please register by Thursday 22 June to louise.dodd@mq.edu.au